I remember vividly the first time I ever heard this song. I was 16, driving with my aging hippie mother who had just gotten the greatest hits album. She put the tape in the car’s tape deck as we drove through a cold, gray, drizzly late autumn night. “Oh, I hate this song,” she said. “Have you ever heard it? I’ll leave it on if you want to hear it.” I hadn’t. But I was immediately spellbound. The song felt like it was written just for me: an unhappy teenager, not living to my fullest potential and not caring, resenting everything the adults wanted me to be, hating the way I was, hating everything around me, dropping out of school, looking for something, anything, to make me feel alive for a couple minutes. I didn’t have a major drug problem, but I was well acquainted with Percocet and Vicodin. I knew all about that “special island” that used to be only a thought away when I was a child, but which was now all but inaccessible, except when I was high. Soon it would be inaccessible even then. I know the song was written about a total wannabe loser with a fucked up home life, but that’s what I was, and it was like someone finally saw me and didn’t just roll their eyes or turn away with disgust. My mother knew all of this about me and was often the only adult who didn’t yell “where did I go wrong, you had so much potential and now look at you”. Much. Sometimes she did. Sometimes everyone did. But listen, what I choose to remember about this song and my relationship with my mother is how, a few days later, I failed to make my bed before school. When I got home, she had done it for me. When I said, “oh cool, thanks,” she replied with, “Well you’re sixteen and still your mother makes your bed… and that’s tooooo looooong!” We were both laughing and I was like, “At least I’m not 21! I still have 5 years to go!” After that, any time she would make my bed for me, we’d both sing, “and that’s tooooo looooong!” Until I eventually got in the habit of doing it myself 😂 I’m 39 now, she’s been gone a year and a half. But I still think of this song whenever I’m making my bed. I still can’t get to that damn island.
1.) You gotta build your own island. 2.) Turning a depressing song into an in-joke with your mother is wonderful, and it's also wonderful that you keep that with you. Hold onto it.
Sorry for the loss of your mother, who you obviously connected with better than most of us can claim. I'm going to agree with another commentor DodgerOfZion... You've Got to Build Your Own Island and it must not be of the self-destructive type... There are many of us who were so very close to falling off the edge into the abiss... Be thankful that wasn't your fate....
These may be the most well-written, meaningful paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading in a UA-cam comment section. I think your short essay is worthy of publication. Thank you.
This is one of those epic songs that can be played over and over and you never get sick of it, what a classic, I think we all can relate to this in one way or another, if you grew up in that era..
I remember my friend coming in with this album, all excited saying "This guy is gonna be bigger than Elton John." I was skeptical, since Elton was the biggest thing since the Beatles at the time. I don't think he quite got to be bigger than Elton, but he sure dominated the 80s. This is still my favorite Billy Joel song though.
This song really helped my 2 sons and one daughter stay away from heroin. My unle Dan saved my life in 1973 by introducing me to this song . I love you Uncle !
❤i dance around the kitchen working when I hear this song it reminds me of how grateful I am for today ❤️ I don't need my "captain jack"anymore thank you Billy 😊
that's very good to hear. i have learning of several that lost the battle and the end of this song says it all. i'm glad i didn't have that challenge ..but opiates are it's own monkey. Done with those too. Congrats
At 73 now, and having survived Woodstock in 69, I still get an awesome rush from this song... it brings back powerful memories of being a hippie, and of a hard-learned lesson in life. Sometimes I still miss that 'special island' but flying away from it gave me life through Christ. 15 years clean now.
I'm playing my albums, smoking my pot, and meeting no one in a parking lot. The world feels quite dead to me Billy, thank you for putting my thoughts to words decades before I was born.
Probably the best use of an organ in rock history. Also possibly the most important song of Billy Joel's career- this is actually the song that got him noticed by Columbia Records after a live performance of it got radio airplay for an entire year in Philadelphia, eventually leading to his signing and the release of the 'Piano Man' album.
Yes, the organ really makes this song complete. Perhaps my favorite Billy Joel song. Liked it from day one and still play it on a regular basis. Oh and it is WMMR. Lived there 68 to 71 after leaving SoCal, then moved to Cleveland and found sister station WMMS waiting for me when I got here. Two legendary radio stations. While MMR still seems to be what they were, sadly MMS is nothing like it was back when. Cheers !
it really paints a complete picture of a place and time, better than most 300 page novels could ever do, thats what a fantastic song can do. Transports you to wherever the artist wants to take you, and makes you feel the way he or she wants, its like you're there smelling the grayness that pervades this kids life. But above all what makes this and other joel's songs great, are the passion and heart behind them, he gives you the gift of life, in its sad, pathetic areas and in its magnificent bits too
A sad state of culture today that includes just about everything from books, to Movies, to TV Shows, to music, etc. is that much of the media is void and without meaning and heart and effort put into it. So much is just pointless crap designed to make profit rather than engage people and actually get them entertained and thinking about what they watch. A lot of people just kind of skip straight to the next thing without thinking about what they just looked at. It is all about getting that instant gratification, quick, quick, quick, rather than actually enjoying things and remembering them for the long term. One day we will have more expressive culture again.
I was never a fan of his, but have always that this song is one of the best songs ever written. I was able to connect to this song for several reasons that I am not 100% proud of. I am very proud of being able to say I made it through and have been clean for years now. Truly one of the best tracks ever. For me at least.
@@allipat401 Just curious....in December 1997 Billy Joel covered, 'Hey Girl', ( originally by Freddie Scott, I think ) and it seemed such a sad lyrical story, but of course he did a great job. Maybe that can rival Captain Jack in your view....?
@@allipat401 I'm sure you've heard, 'Scenes from an Italian restaurant', another favorite. When I was a kid, I loved everything Billy Joel did......same way I felt about Dan Fogelberg. Have a good night.
To really get this song, the way I do at least, you've got to have lived in the early 70s. Going to the village to get away. Looking at the junkies. Everyone looked like what they called freaks. Todd Rundgren, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie. You can relate to it if you're in your 60s the way I do. But this song and his lyrics that are just as good as John Lennons and Roger Waters lyrics can transcend into any generation. The sign of great artistry. This song is a gem.
Ronald Charles Epstein lesser known? I hear this on the radio all the time by me, but maybe that's because I'm from Long Island and we overplay all of his songs on the radio here
The song is so fully of sympathy but disgust for the hopeless addict. Powerful. Years ago, at home, when I used to play this on the stereo, I always raised the volume after each chorus and into the verse, and would get it freaking loud! It was built to be loud.
Long ago left Long Island NY and drinking with Capt Jack at Two Shea's in Manorhaven. Yes Jack was a real person and a local legend. Man this brings me back.
I have been given pain RX's in the hospital through an IV after surgery. I thought about that line from this song - "a little push and you will be smiling." I accidently said it to a nurse and she knew exactly what I was talking about. She smiled big and said, "I am taking you to your special island."
Growing up to this song as a kid, I always grew up fearing that I'd become something like Captain Jack. Have to admit it became a motivation for me to avoid that fate!
Rediscovered this album while in hospital for the third time this year. Headphones on, volume to full and escape the crap going on around me for a while, bliss. Not sure what the organ is in the background during the chorus but wow what a sound!
the organ is in a Methodist church in Chicago at the corner of Lasalle and Randolph, considered the highest chapel in the world since it was installed at the top of a skyscraper, spire and all. My wife's office has a great view of it...
Heard this for the first time riding in the backseat of my parents car. Maybe 6 years old. Couldn’t process the pure genius of the lyrics at the time, but loved it. Now it’s my top 5 favorite all time songs.
Alright, that’s it. Billy Joel is my favorite musician of all time. We Didn’t Start the Fire, Piano Man, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Uptown Girl, Vienna, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, all of it. Such good songs.
Still his best damn song. Was recently talking to a couple young women in a pub and they had no clue of its existence despite a professed appreciation for Mr Joel's more popular works. This one always gets me as I was a bit outside the typical popular culture in my teens due to a real messed up home life.
I'm born and raised Long Island and remember when this song came out. It's STILL A FAVORITE...and I STILL PLAY IT ON REPEAT...I NEVER tire of it! I would love to have someone to listen to it with me who loves it as much as I do...are you out there? I reside in TEXAS 💜 .
Billy and Elton early stuff was the best man. They were full of emotion-they were hungry for everything. they had passion in their voices and instruments. From struggles of the young. I LOVE their early stuff.
He certainly understands addiction. And depression. Not that it's that hard, but so many people are just too lazy to do the type of thinking that would enable them to understand it.
No sugar coating fabulously gut level !!!! Master piece !!! I’m 69 and have never made my bed yet,this year is not looking good either , cat never complains about it 😂
So you play your albums and you smoke your pot And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got What went wrong, mmm
One of the most important pop songs of all time! Not many top 40 hits have the lyrical depth of meaning and emotive expression on all levels from composition through production!
3000yrs later and my guy is still singing actual facts... With your finger up your nose and closet queens. Nothing changes except your perception. Captain Jack will get you by tonight.
This really is a great song. I have lived out most of these lyrics, so it holds a special place for me. This really kind of sums up my life in the 80’s, and I listened to it quite often back then, in spite of not really being much of a Billy Joel fan, and it both comforted me and sickened me all at once. Fortunately I can now say that it was another lifetime, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes really miss that “special island”.
I have listened to this sing a thousand times. I LOVE & get Chills at 2:40 EVERY TIME!!! Then I go back to it 10 times before listening to the rest. 1 of his 100 great song. I don’t say This for many ppl. But Billy? LEGEND!!!!
❤ I am in New York Long Island born and bred girl and this song is truly made for long Islanders I beg to differ with anyone that thinks otherwise it's amazing and it's about just how long island this feel just saying have a great day all
It’s crazy being a 21 year old living in a small town right outside of NYC and relating to each verse of this song as much as I do. It’s incredible how timeless Joel’s storytelling is, for him to be writing songs that two kids, 48 years apart, can relate to so strongly.
Can't believe it after all these years of listening to this song along with other songs from the Essential Billy Joel album, I never realised how disturbing this song is (i.e. its lyrics)... now I'll never listen to this song the same way again... O.O
I sang along to this song years before I knew what 'masturbation' was. I'm sure my parents were very happy I never asked them what Captain Jack actually did, 'sitting at home'. As for the rest of the lyrics, you're right. To me, it was just about a sad, lonely kid...
Coming of age in my teens learning the latest music. This one was great then and still is timeless. One of the first songs I listened to when I first started smoking pot. That’s what I have always called it, pot!
I live near Philadelphia and this song was played in 1972 on a radio concert on WMMR and started Billy on his way to stardom. I remember listening to WMMR back then and they really promoted Billy Joel. It was a controversial song due to the lyrics. You have to remember it was 1972. WMMR FM was the first underground FM station in Philadelphia. Before then all you had was Top 40 am WFIL and WIBG. WMMR played the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin. Artists you never heard on AM radio. Billy Joel performed at the Main Point which was a small coffee house similar to the clubs in NYC like Cafe Wha.
We had a station like that in Buffalo NY,WPHD, I had to keep pen and paper near by just to write down the artist and song! They played album sides, European prog rock groups. I guess with Spotify etc. most people have access to a lot of what's out there.
Never really listened to billy joel that often but if I had to pick a favorite song 🎵 captain jack would be the one music brings people together and that is something no one can ever take away ✌️🇺🇲
in grew up in Philly back in the 60s and 70s, the DJ at Philly radio station wmmr gave Capt. Jack alot of precious Philly airtime, we were so lucky to have been part of Billy's 1st major audience. he didn't have to cut this one down to 3:05
I was in college when I first heard this song. I bet I sing some of it to myself every week But haven't listened to it completely in years -at least 30 years. I remember every word. "Well your 21 and your mother still makes your bed". That was me then...for sure.
I love Billy Joel.I was in Greece when this came out.I had a bootlegged copy from the middle east sad to say,but I had Billy Joel right there in my walkman.🎉
This reminds me of the time I was broke, sad ,and lonely in the the 80s bumming change in the cold so that I could buy me a 40 oz colt 45 ..to help me forget all my sadness.. problems..now I'm 60 with zero sadness due to my wonderful life.thanks to Jesus..and my big stack of cash is fantastic tooooooo.
Congratulations on getting 1 million views Captain Jack! This song is absolutely incredible, and I'm honestly surprised that it didn't hit this milestone sooner.
I remember vividly the first time I ever heard this song. I was 16, driving with my aging hippie mother who had just gotten the greatest hits album. She put the tape in the car’s tape deck as we drove through a cold, gray, drizzly late autumn night.
“Oh, I hate this song,” she said. “Have you ever heard it? I’ll leave it on if you want to hear it.”
I hadn’t. But I was immediately spellbound. The song felt like it was written just for me: an unhappy teenager, not living to my fullest potential and not caring, resenting everything the adults wanted me to be, hating the way I was, hating everything around me, dropping out of school, looking for something, anything, to make me feel alive for a couple minutes.
I didn’t have a major drug problem, but I was well acquainted with Percocet and Vicodin. I knew all about that “special island” that used to be only a thought away when I was a child, but which was now all but inaccessible, except when I was high. Soon it would be inaccessible even then.
I know the song was written about a total wannabe loser with a fucked up home life, but that’s what I was, and it was like someone finally saw me and didn’t just roll their eyes or turn away with disgust.
My mother knew all of this about me and was often the only adult who didn’t yell “where did I go wrong, you had so much potential and now look at you”. Much. Sometimes she did. Sometimes everyone did.
But listen, what I choose to remember about this song and my relationship with my mother is how, a few days later, I failed to make my bed before school. When I got home, she had done it for me. When I said, “oh cool, thanks,” she replied with,
“Well you’re sixteen and still your mother makes your bed… and that’s tooooo looooong!”
We were both laughing and I was like, “At least I’m not 21! I still have 5 years to go!”
After that, any time she would make my bed for me, we’d both sing, “and that’s tooooo looooong!” Until I eventually got in the habit of doing it myself 😂
I’m 39 now, she’s been gone a year and a half. But I still think of this song whenever I’m making my bed.
I still can’t get to that damn island.
1.) You gotta build your own island.
2.) Turning a depressing song into an in-joke with your mother is wonderful, and it's also wonderful that you keep that with you. Hold onto it.
😥 sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your mother, who you obviously connected with better than most of us can claim. I'm going to agree with another commentor DodgerOfZion... You've Got to Build Your Own Island and it must not be of the self-destructive type... There are many of us who were so very close to falling off the edge into the abiss... Be thankful that wasn't your fate....
These may be the most well-written, meaningful paragraphs I've ever had the pleasure of reading in a UA-cam comment section. I think your short essay is worthy of publication. Thank you.
Agree with others, beautiful comment, moving tribute.
This is one of those epic songs that can be played over and over and you never get sick of it, what a classic, I think we all can relate to this in one way or another, if you grew up in that era..
I remember my friend coming in with this album, all excited saying "This guy is gonna be bigger than Elton John." I was skeptical, since Elton was the biggest thing since the Beatles at the time. I don't think he quite got to be bigger than Elton, but he sure dominated the 80s. This is still my favorite Billy Joel song though.
*cough cough* dominated the 70s too *cough cough*
@@theoo.2019 1977-1984
@@manco828 idk I would say we didn't start the fire was pretty sucessful too
@@theoo.2019 Yeah but his peak were those years.
@@manco828 piano man was pretty good too
This song really helped my 2 sons and one daughter stay away from heroin. My unle Dan saved my life in 1973 by introducing me to this song .
I love you Uncle !
I L9VE him too❤ thank you Uncle Dan for saving John's life 😊
My pioneer 9001 and Bose 901's shook my room in 75 with this song. Sure do miss those nights.
Same
My favorite Billy Joel song of all time.
How could one person write so many brilliant songs? It never fails to amaze me. What a genius
One of his best songs he made
My favorite!!
❤i dance around the kitchen working when I hear this song it reminds me of how grateful I am for today ❤️ I don't need my "captain jack"anymore thank you Billy 😊
that's very good to hear. i have learning of several that lost the battle and the end of this song says it all. i'm glad i didn't have that challenge ..but opiates are it's own monkey. Done with those too. Congrats
❤
Hauntingly real and honest lyrics. The anthem of lonely teens everywhere, regardless of they went to The Island or not.
Clean and sober six months today but still miss that island😢 Hard to pick his best song as there are so many but this is up there. NJ ❤
Stay strong dude ❤❤
Sober 15 months today and grateful but damn, this sounds like the excitement before things became a problem...
Well done with six months. Here’s to 6 months more! You can do it!
Congratulations my friend
every BJ song pre-brinkley was good...after her..not so much
At 73 now, and having survived Woodstock in 69, I still get an awesome rush from this song... it brings back powerful memories of being a hippie, and of a hard-learned lesson in life. Sometimes I still miss that 'special island' but flying away from it gave me life through Christ. 15 years clean now.
Shows your just a cool guy!
A friend of mien would probably say: Drugs may bring you to a special island, but Christ will bring you to a special land.
Christ, like drugs, is another lie.
@@ge2623 You will remember saying these words when you get to hell someday.
@@ge2623 who asked?
After all these years, I still blast this song while going down the highway!
Really fan right here y’all!
You go girl! Good taste!
There’s no other way to play it!!! Highway, thru my small town. If it on….it’s on 10. 👍😊
I'm playing my albums, smoking my pot, and meeting no one in a parking lot. The world feels quite dead to me Billy, thank you for putting my thoughts to words decades before I was born.
That's deep my friend
Probably the best use of an organ in rock history.
Also possibly the most important song of Billy Joel's career- this is actually the song that got him noticed by Columbia Records after a live performance of it got radio airplay for an entire year in Philadelphia, eventually leading to his signing and the release of the 'Piano Man' album.
Thank You Ed Shoky at 93.3 WMME👍
Yes, the organ really makes this song complete. Perhaps my favorite Billy Joel song. Liked it from day one and still play it on a regular basis. Oh and it is WMMR. Lived there 68 to 71 after leaving SoCal, then moved to Cleveland and found sister station WMMS waiting for me when I got here. Two legendary radio stations. While MMR still seems to be what they were, sadly MMS is nothing like it was back when.
Cheers !
Well, he does mention masturbation, so you may right about that.
Procul Harum hammond organ on whiter shade of pale. Period.
Boston does a great job incorporating the organ into their songs too IMO
it really paints a complete picture of a place and time, better than most 300 page novels could ever do, thats what a fantastic song can do. Transports you to wherever the artist wants to take you, and makes you feel the way he or she wants, its like you're there smelling the grayness that pervades this kids life. But above all what makes this and other joel's songs great, are the passion and heart behind them, he gives you the gift of life, in its sad, pathetic areas and in its magnificent bits too
juan altredo Could not have put that better ;)
Speaking of novels, this song goes together really well with the theme of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
juan altredo yup
Hear Hear! This is excellent composition, straight ahead rock and roll and an excellent ballad all rolled into one !
A sad state of culture today that includes just about everything from books, to Movies, to TV Shows, to music, etc. is that much of the media is void and without meaning and heart and effort put into it. So much is just pointless crap designed to make profit rather than engage people and actually get them entertained and thinking about what they watch. A lot of people just kind of skip straight to the next thing without thinking about what they just looked at. It is all about getting that instant gratification, quick, quick, quick, rather than actually enjoying things and remembering them for the long term. One day we will have more expressive culture again.
The 70’s was a hangover decade and this is the Anthem.
The bartender at the bar I worked at in my twenties would play this religiously at closing time.
Shame that barkeep missed the opportunity to play Piano Man instead.. Much more relevant
@@88_TROUBLE_88 at least it was less cliché
@@88_TROUBLE_88 pre brinkley BJ was good...after her not so much
I was never a fan of his, but have always that this song is one of the best songs ever written. I was able to connect to this song for several reasons that I am not 100% proud of. I am very proud of being able to say I made it through and have been clean for years now. Truly one of the best tracks ever. For me at least.
Keep up the good work and good life, Mike. You deserve it.
Much love and respect for you Mike...& this is my favorite Billy Joel song.
@@allipat401 Just curious....in December 1997 Billy Joel covered, 'Hey Girl', ( originally by Freddie Scott, I think ) and it seemed such a sad lyrical story, but of course he did a great job. Maybe that can rival Captain Jack in your view....?
@@67marlins not sure because I’m not familiar with that song but I will definitely check it out, thank you🤙
@@allipat401 I'm sure you've heard, 'Scenes from an Italian restaurant', another favorite.
When I was a kid, I loved everything Billy Joel did......same way I felt about Dan Fogelberg.
Have a good night.
This is actually one of my favorite Billy Joel songs.
Same 👍
its about heroin right? a little push and you'll be smiling? yea it's my favorite too
It’s about drugs and stuff like that
It's my favorite. He has so many good songs but this one is his best imo.
My favorite all-time songs is Scenes/Italian Restaurant. Love this one tho too.
To really get this song, the way I do at least, you've got to have lived in the early 70s. Going to the village to get away. Looking at the junkies. Everyone looked like what they called freaks. Todd Rundgren, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie. You can relate to it if you're in your 60s the way I do. But this song and his lyrics that are just as good as John Lennons and Roger Waters lyrics can transcend into any generation. The sign of great artistry. This song is a gem.
Billy Joel could have been an author. but he chose to tell stories through music, thank you Billy Joel
This is one of Billy Joel's lesser-known and socially-aware songs.
Ronald Charles Epstein lesser known? I hear this on the radio all the time by me, but maybe that's because I'm from Long Island and we overplay all of his songs on the radio here
Lesser known, no.
Lesser APPRECIATED, and socially aware, I'd agree.
did he write any songs that aren't socially aware to at least some degree? ^^
Not lesser known, merely decades old.
dude, its on the greatest hits that sold countless copies. You are high Captain Hack!
I was a teenager growing up in the suburbs of Long Island smoking pot when this came out. It was poetry to us.
I wish I could’ve grown up with this as my high school music
Don't take drugs kids
What city? I'm from Hicksville just like Billy. My brother went to Hicksville high school class of '65.
How does it feel knowing that you're literally the kids Billy wrote this song about?
Good music to get high while listening to it.
The song is so fully of sympathy but disgust for the hopeless addict. Powerful.
Years ago, at home, when I used to play this on the stereo, I always raised the volume after each chorus and into the verse, and would get it freaking loud! It was built to be loud.
I believe that somewhere in the world, there are people who feel the same emotions that I feel when I listen to masterpieces like this song.
His best album ever, not one bad song.
Long ago left Long Island NY and drinking with Capt Jack at Two Shea's in Manorhaven. Yes Jack was a real person and a local legend. Man this brings me back.
A classic about the sadder reality of life, as relevant now as it was then perhaps
I have been given pain RX's in the hospital through an IV after surgery. I thought about that line from this song - "a little push and you will be smiling." I accidently said it to a nurse and she knew exactly what I was talking about. She smiled big and said, "I am taking you to your special island."
A very deep and descriptive track life and it carries some type of reality which is to me a superb way of saying well I'm here
Great one
I used to slam Tuinal"s and Nebutal"s back in the day
What a stupid fake story
Oh my gosh, that's fantastic! .Must have been a bit of a comfort at a scary time for you ❤
A song I can truly call magnificent, haunting, and powerful. The use of the pipe organ is brilliant
Ruthlessly real. Tragic and yet so mellow.
Billy's early music is like Elton's - true gems that we don't hear a lot on today's radio - still magic!
I have loved this man for 40 years and I still can't help myself. This song has its own kinda "high".
Growing up to this song as a kid, I always grew up fearing that I'd become something like Captain Jack. Have to admit it became a motivation for me to avoid that fate!
Some believe that capt.jack is a syringe full of n.y.c.heroin??
You thought that you would become a brand of whiskey?
@@guitarslim56😂🤣😆 I can't lol
Rediscovered this album while in hospital for the third time this year. Headphones on, volume to full and escape the crap going on around me for a while, bliss. Not sure what the organ is in the background during the chorus but wow what a sound!
Couldn't agree more
the organ is in a Methodist church in Chicago at the corner of Lasalle and Randolph, considered the highest chapel in the world since it was installed at the top of a skyscraper, spire and all. My wife's office has a great view of it...
We’re any of ur patients on drugs
@@mkervelegan Seriously? This is absolutely awesome!
*chorus
Thank you 🙏🏼 for sharing this lovely story & song. Love 💕❤ Billy Joel. He write, sing 🎤 & tell a story
Captain jack is a masterpiece.
This cover on the LP scared the bejesus outta me when I was a kid listening to this . Loved it anyway. Haunts me to this day
Heard this for the first time riding in the backseat of my parents car. Maybe 6 years old. Couldn’t process the pure genius of the lyrics at the time, but loved it. Now it’s my top 5 favorite all time songs.
This song is a masterpiece from Mr. Joel.
Alright, that’s it. Billy Joel is my favorite musician of all time. We Didn’t Start the Fire, Piano Man, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Uptown Girl, Vienna, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, all of it. Such good songs.
My God how could I forget about We Didn't Start The Fire. He's so dynamic, it really is as if two completely sifferent artists made these two songs.
He’s in my top 5 🙌🏼
That’s just the beginning too. There are 50 more!! 👍
i've never felt music so much until Billy. Thanks God
Still his best damn song. Was recently talking to a couple young women in a pub and they had no clue of its existence despite a professed appreciation for Mr Joel's more popular works.
This one always gets me as I was a bit outside the typical popular culture in my teens due to a real messed up home life.
I'm born and raised Long Island and remember when this song came out. It's STILL A FAVORITE...and I STILL PLAY IT ON REPEAT...I NEVER tire of it! I would love to have someone to listen to it with me who loves it as much as I do...are you out there? I reside in TEXAS 💜 .
My favourite song. Never get tired of it. I always play it as loud as possible.
I can visualize every word…. I lived every word in this song
greatest storyteller of all time
Don’t say that to Harry Chapin fans!
This song is almost as haunting as Billy's face on the album cover.
This is honestly one of my favorite songs of all time it's perfect in so many ways
The song is pure magic!!
@@user-mt9ri4kd5g It came from the Stars...and Billy recorded it
Love Billy Joel ever since I was a little girl still do. Love you all
"Well, you're 21 and still your mother makes your bed. And that's too long."
I can relate.
That's what they call The Peter Pan complex.....
U can relate,, , ur Kidding me right!!!
well ^ ^ ???
v ?
Nowadays moving out at 21 is early but back then people left home at 16-18
babies that live with their parents , WHO WONT GROW UP
Billy and Elton early stuff was the best man. They were full of emotion-they were hungry for everything. they had passion in their voices and instruments. From struggles of the young. I LOVE their early stuff.
Cant believe this is the first time ive hears this... Unreal
I think Billy Joel understands addiction one of our legends of our time
He certainly understands addiction. And depression. Not that it's that hard, but so many people are just too lazy to do the type of thinking that would enable them to understand it.
Being in recovery now back in the old days this was my herion today I listen every day so I NEVER forget where I came from
Teresa - keep up the good work - you deserve to be clean, healthy and happy.
No sugar coating fabulously gut level !!!! Master piece !!! I’m 69 and have never made my bed yet,this year is not looking good either , cat never complains about it 😂
Billy Joel was at the time America’s answer to Elton John. His prime years were 1973-86; his late 70s to early 80s hits were off the chain amazing.
Billy is a legend......head phones on and I'm there !!!!!!
Love the bass guitar. Amazing.
Bass and drums are phenomenal!!!
Boy, does this bring back memories of my teenage years in the 70s on Long Island
Going to see Billy and Rod in September/24.
Finally.
Captain Jack is an ethereal composition lifting my spirit and transcending over past moments of my life.
So you play your albums and you smoke your pot
And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot
Oh, but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
What went wrong, mmm
My sister had this album and sometimes when I'd play it, my mother would raise an issue!
His best song
I just discovered this song for the first time....it is legendary!
One of the most important pop songs of all time! Not many top 40 hits have the lyrical depth of meaning and emotive expression on all levels from composition through production!
The distribution of this song was inspired.
3000yrs later and my guy is still singing actual facts... With your finger up your nose and closet queens. Nothing changes except your perception. Captain Jack will get you by tonight.
Can I just say that Lenny is the most prettiest man and most talented ever in this decade !!
His greatest song for sure.
I think Its Scenes from an Italian restaurant. But I respect the thought.
my favorite Billy Joel song which is the very first of his many beautiful songs!
This really is a great song. I have lived out most of these lyrics, so it holds a special place for me. This really kind of sums up my life in the 80’s, and I listened to it quite often back then, in spite of not really being much of a Billy Joel fan, and it both comforted me and sickened me all at once. Fortunately I can now say that it was another lifetime, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes really miss that “special island”.
1:37 That lone twangy guitar just hanging the notes out there......perfect.
I have listened to this sing a thousand times. I LOVE & get Chills at 2:40 EVERY TIME!!! Then I go back to it 10 times before listening to the rest.
1 of his 100 great song. I don’t say This for many ppl.
But Billy? LEGEND!!!!
Billie, this is one of the BEST ever. Billie, thanks for the MUSIC, the memories, the profound words.
This song really captures the feeling of having all the things that should make you happy but being depressed anyway.
❤ I am in New York Long Island born and bred girl and this song is truly made for long Islanders I beg to differ with anyone that thinks otherwise it's amazing and it's about just how long island this feel just saying have a great day all
No. It's the greatest!!! Blows away trying to rhyme rap!!!!
It’s crazy being a 21 year old living in a small town right outside of NYC and relating to each verse of this song as much as I do. It’s incredible how timeless Joel’s storytelling is, for him to be writing songs that two kids, 48 years apart, can relate to so strongly.
Can't believe it after all these years of listening to this song along with other songs from the Essential Billy Joel album, I never realised how disturbing this song is (i.e. its lyrics)... now I'll never listen to this song the same way again... O.O
I sang along to this song years before I knew what 'masturbation' was. I'm sure my parents were very happy I never asked them what Captain Jack actually did, 'sitting at home'. As for the rest of the lyrics, you're right. To me, it was just about a sad, lonely kid...
I know
maybe now you're listening to the song how it was actually intended to be heard
Yeah. Billy was being a jealous little price when he wrote this.
My favorite Billy Joel song , takes me back
Coming of age in my teens learning the latest music. This one was great then and still is timeless. One of the first songs I listened to when I first started smoking pot. That’s what I have always called it, pot!
I live near Philadelphia and this song was played in 1972 on a radio concert on WMMR and started Billy on his way to stardom. I remember listening to WMMR back then and they really promoted Billy Joel. It was a controversial song due to the lyrics. You have to remember it was 1972. WMMR FM was the first underground FM station in Philadelphia. Before then all you had was Top 40 am WFIL and WIBG. WMMR played the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin. Artists you never heard on AM radio. Billy Joel performed at the Main Point which was a small coffee house similar to the clubs in NYC like Cafe Wha.
We had a station like that in Buffalo NY,WPHD, I had to keep pen and paper near by just to write down the artist and song! They played album sides, European prog rock groups. I guess with Spotify etc. most people have access to a lot of what's out there.
Thanks "BIG RO" for turning me on to this when we were 17. RIP .
Never really listened to billy joel that often but if I had to pick a favorite song 🎵 captain jack would be the one music brings people together and that is something no one can ever take away ✌️🇺🇲
Billy Joel's music got me through 10 years of really bad times he kept my spirits up big-time thank you Billy thank you Billy thank Billy.
My favorite Billy Joel song of all time. Thanx for posting this.
I remember sitting around with a group of friends in high school listening to Billy it was the first time I heard this song.
in grew up in Philly back in the 60s and 70s, the DJ at Philly radio station wmmr gave Capt. Jack alot of precious Philly airtime, we were so lucky to have been part of Billy's 1st major audience. he didn't have to cut this one down to 3:05
reminds me so much of the 70's
This is so daunting and so beautiful at the same time. What a paradox
Very powerful song. Real Billy Joel, the balladeer. He was awesome. Fred Saradin
Awesome album.
IMO his best album!!
How I felt many times as teenager in a small town in the 70s with my tape deck and Chevrolet.
I was in college when I first heard this song. I bet I sing some of it to myself every week But haven't listened to it completely in years -at least 30 years. I remember every word. "Well your 21 and your mother still makes your bed". That was me then...for sure.
THIS IS THE TALE OF CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW 🗣🗣‼️‼️🔥🔥
I love Billy Joel.I was in Greece when this came out.I had a bootlegged copy from the middle east sad to say,but I had Billy Joel right there in my walkman.🎉
Walkmans didn't exist in 1973
Still a great song after all these years.
This reminds me of the time I was broke, sad ,and lonely in the the 80s bumming change in the cold so that I could buy me a 40 oz colt 45 ..to help me forget all my sadness.. problems..now I'm 60 with zero sadness due to my wonderful life.thanks to Jesus..and my big stack of cash is fantastic tooooooo.
AMEN THANK YOU JESUS!!! LOVE
Congratulations on getting 1 million views Captain Jack! This song is absolutely incredible, and I'm honestly surprised that it didn't hit this milestone sooner.
This song is brilliantly written.
The Captain Jack will get you high lyrics are fast paced and the come down lyrics are slower paced.